Strap for securing a cell phone or other electronic device and methods for making and using the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a strap or lanyard that can be used to secure a small object, for example, a cell phone or other small electronic device around the neck or the shoulder of the wearer.

The present disclosure relates to a strap or lanyard that can be used to secure a cell phone or other small electronic device around the neck or the shoulder of the wearer. Unlike prior art lanyards used for holding badges or other small objects around the neck, the strap system as described provides a stable, balanced system for holding a cell phone or other heavy object around the neck of the wearer providing for immediate access to the device.

As cellular phones have become communication centers, internet access devices, cameras, fitness apps, watches, etc. the amount and number of times a person accesses their devices has gone up a hundred-fold. Initially, women kept their phones in their purses and men kept cell phones in a pocket. When the phone rang, one would remove the device and answer the phone and put the device back. By contrast, today's cell phone user generally has their phone close at hand, either literally in their hand or on the table next to them, etc. People use their phones to email, text, take selfies, review social media, take instant pictures and video, read books, access the internet, post to Facebook or Instagram and the like.

Given the prolific use that cell phones get today, i.e., people have their phones in their hands, particularly when out in public, the number of instances when a phone gets lost, dropped, or damaged have gone way up. The cost to replace phones and/or screens can be a significant financial burden to cell phone owners.

The product as described herein is a strap system that can go around the neck or over the shoulder of a user to secure their phone, or other small electronic device, without having to put the phone into a pocket or purse. The consumers hands may be free while their phone is still within easy grasp with a much lower likelihood of damage.

One prior system for holding a consumer device includes a leather case on a strap that can be worn over the shoulder or around the neck of the user. While this system purports to make the phone more accessible, one is still required to remove the phone from its holder for use. Likewise, other systems suffer from being too bulky and heavy or unbalanced making them clumsy and less useful to the consumer.

Given the proliferation of phone accessories, consumers are very savvy and these accessories need to be both useful and ornamental. More particularly, consumers have a significant selection of accessories that they can use with their portable electronics and they are very particular, so small details can be the difference between something that is well accepted and something that is not accepted at all. In addition, people want to be able to express their individual style while using their devices.

The present disclosure provides for a strap system for holding an electronic device that does not suffer from any of the drawback associated with the prior art lanyards or leather cases. More specifically, the strap system as described is lightweight, symmetrical, balanced, easy to use, decorative, and provides a comfortable way for holding and using an electronic device around your neck or over your shoulder while having immediate access to the device so that photos, messages and the like can be taken in real time.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a strap system for holding a small item comprising, a flexible carrying member, at least two fasteners located at the ends of the flexible carrying member, adhesive binder applied to the fasteners to secure the strap system to the small item.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for using an electronic device comprising, connecting the strap system as described to a phone or electronic device wherein the fasteners are attached to the top back of the phone when the phone is inverted and wherein the phone is used by lifting the phone in an upward arc without turning the phone.

Additional advantages of the described methods and products will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. The advantages of the disclosure will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items

FIG. 5 illustrates a right-side view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of a first embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a fastener used to secure the strap to the item to be held.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a fastener of FIG. 8 in an unlatched position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the strap of FIG. 3 attached to a small item, i.e., a cell phone.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the strap of FIG. 3 attached to a small item, i.e., a cell phone, illustrating one fastener that is latched and one fastener that is unlatched.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front perspective view of a second embodiment of my new strap or holding small items, e.g., phone or other small electronic.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of the second embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 14 illustrates a back view of the second embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 15 illustrates a left-side view of the second embodiment of my new strap for holding small items

FIG. 16 illustrates a right-side view of the second embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of the second embodiment of my new strap for holding small items

FIG. 18 illustrates a bottom view of the second embodiment of my new strap for holding small items.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a fastener used to secure the strap to the item to be held.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of a fastener of FIG. 19 in an unlatched position.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the strap of FIG. 13 attached to a small item, i.e., a cell phone.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the strap of FIG. 13 attached to a small item, i.e., a cell phone, illustrating one fastener that is latched and one fastener that is unlatched.

FIG. 23 is a front view of another embodiment of the strap as described.

FIG. 24 is a back view of yet another embodiment of the strap as described.

The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the embodiments may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like items. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

The present disclosure relates to a system for holding a small electronic device, e.g., phone, around the neck or shoulder of a user. The system as described herein includes a flexible carrying member which is attached to a pair of fasteners. According to one embodiment, the fasteners are affixed to an electronic device, or cover for an electronic device by an adhesive. According to another embodiment, the system further includes attachment mechanisms for attaching the fasteners to rings located on the flexible carrying member. The rings provide reorientation capability so that the electronic device may be moved into appropriate positions for use.

As used herein strap or lanyard can be used interchangeably to refer to the entire holding system, while flexible carrying member refers to only the portion of the system that is made of, for example, cloth, or leather.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the strap system as described. In the embodiment shown, a flexible carrying member 110 is attached via rings 120 to an attachment mechanism 130. The rings 120 are shown in broken line as they may be any shape of size desired. The flexible carrying member 110 is attached to the rings 120 via loops created in the flexible carrying member 110 that are secured via a suitable device such as rivets 150. In the embodiment shown, the attachment mechanism 130 is also flexible and is secured to the ring 120 via loops created in the attachment mechanism 130 and secured with rivets 150. The attachment mechanism 130 is secured to the fastener 160 via a loop on the locking mechanism 140. The attachment mechanism 130 is threaded through the loop on the locking mechanism 140 and attached via rivet 150. In the embodiment shown the fastener 160 is a latching fastener with a tab 170 on the locking mechanism 140 that is fitted into the keeper portion of the fastener 160 when the fastener 160 is latched.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the system as seen in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the attachment mechanism is secured to the flexible carrier member 110 and fastener via rivets 150 that may be decorative, lending individualization to the strap. In the embodiment shown, the attachment mechanism 130 is sized to allow the user to lift the electronic device attached at the fastener 160 and obtain a point of natural fold in the strap, at the rings 120.

FIG. 3 shows the reverse side of the strap of FIG. 1. As seen in this view, this embodiment uses a fold-over loop for inserting through ring 120 and the loop on locking mechanism 140. Such a configuration is useful when the strap is made from leather or other material that is flexible but not subject to pulling or fraying at the ends. Other strap materials useful in this configuration are those made from polymeric materials. In the embodiment shown, the material of the flexible carrier member 110 is cut to have a decorative end, in this example, the corners have been removed. When the carrier member 110 is folded and riveted through ring 120, the decorative cutting at the end of the web can be seen on the reverse of the strap.

In the embodiment seen in FIG. 3, the material of the attachment mechanism 130 and the flexible carrier member 110 are the same. According to another embodiment, the flexible carrier member 110 and the attachment mechanism 130 can be made of different materials. For example, the flexible carrier member 110 may be leather while the attachment mechanism 130 is cloth or a polymer material. Alternatively, the flexible carrier member 110 may be decorative cloth, while the attachment mechanism 130 is a different cloth, leather or a polymer material.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. As can be seen from the side views, the material that forms the flexible carrier member 110 is flat so as to lay close to the body of the user, while the area that goes around the neck or over the shoulder makes a smooth transition to something that is wide enough to be comfortable. While not shown, the adhesive for attaching the strap to a device, such as a phone, would be placed on the back of the fastener 160 allowing the locking mechanism 140 to be inserted and removed via tab 170.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the strap from the top and the bottom. In the embodiment shown, the fasteners 160 have similar widths and depths that match the flexible carrier member 110. The instant disclosure also contemplates strap systems where the fasteners 160 need not match the width and depth of the flexible carrier member 110. For example, the width of the fastener 160 may be wider or narrower than the width of the flexible carrier member 110. Wider fasteners may be used with devices that require more stability or strength to be held. Narrower fasteners may be used for devices that are small and light and have limited space.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the attachment mechanism 130 and the fastener 160. In the embodiment shown, the fastener 160 is coupled to the locking mechanism 140. The attachment mechanism 130 is threaded through a loop on the locking mechanism 140 and secured with a rivet 150. The latch as seen in this embodiment is in the closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8 in an open position. According to the embodiment shown, the locking mechanism 140 is removed from the fastener 160 via tab 170.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the strap system attached to a cellular phone and in a latched and an unlatched embodiment, respectively. According to the embodiment shown, the strap and device can be placed over the neck of a user. When placed over the neck of the user, the fasteners 160 rest between the phone and the body of the user allowing the phone to be lifted and viewed with ease. In the embodiment shown, the fasteners 160 are attached to the bottom rear portion of the phone thereby causing the phone to be upright when lifted. In the embodiment shown, the strap has added flexibility in positioning via the rings 120 that appear an inch or more above the fasteners 160.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the strap system. According to this embodiment, the strap may further comprise a pocket 180 and/or a carrying loop 190. The pocket can be used to hold a variety of small items, including, for example, keys, rings, etc. The carrying loop 190 can also be used to hold small items, for example, sunglasses.

As seen in both FIGS. 12 and 13, according to this embodiment, the attachment mechanism 130 couples a ring 120 and the loop on locking mechanism 140 in closer juxtaposition. In the embodiment shown, the attachment mechanism is a flexible material that is threaded through the ring 120 and the loop on the locking mechanism 140 and then the ends of the material are overlapped and a single rivet 150 is used to secure the attachment mechanism.

In a similar embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the flexible carrying member 110 can include on or more pockets that are formed between the layers of the material that make up the flexible carrying member 110.

FIGS. 15 to 22 illustrate the sides, top, and bottom of the strap system and fasteners 160, latched and unlatched, in the same manner as FIGS. 4 to 9 did for the first embodiment.

In the embodiment seen in FIGS. 21 and 22, the strap system is slightly wider and produced from a multi-layer flexible carrying member 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap may be made of cloth or other material that is folded over and sewn allowing a pocket 215 to be introduced creating storage between the front and the rear of the flexible carrying member 110.

According to another embodiment seen in FIG. 23, the front of the strap system may include multiple loops 205, 210 that can be used to hold things like keys or sunglasses. While this feature is shown on a multilayer flexible carrying member 110, the loops may also be added to the embodiment as seen in FIG. 1.

According to yet another embodiment seen in FIG. 24, the flexible carrying member 110 is a multiplayer material and slash pockets 215, 220 that can be used to carry small items. In the embodiment shown, the slash pocket 220 is located about 5 inches above the ring 120. This pocket can be used to hold a pen or pencil easily.

The flexible carrying member 110 can be made from any material that has the necessary strength and flexibility characteristics to hold the electronic device in an appropriate position. Materials include, leather, cloth, polyester, nylon, silk, satin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), braided leather or braided doth or paracord or any other commercially available material for producing lanyards or straps. According to one embodiment, the flexible carrying member 110 is leather. According to another embodiment, the flexible carrying member 110 is cloth. According to one embodiment, the cloth is a decorative fabric. According to another embodiment, the cloth is screen printed or otherwise modified to include a logo or other changes to render the product individualized to the purchaser.

Individualization can include selection of the flexible carrier member, selection of the rings, selection of the material for the attachment mechanism, selection of the studs or rivets that are used to secure the attachment mechanism, and selection of a pattern, design or logo on the flexible carrier member.

The flexible carrying member 110 may be any length and may or may not include a means for adjusting the length. The strap may be worn in any manner desired by the user. The strap may be worn around the neck, over the shoulder hanging, or cross-body.

The rings 120 at the end of the flexible carrier member 110 can be secured by creating a sewn pocket or by creating a loop that is put through the ring and secured by stitching or with a rivet or other fastener, for example, a button, a staple, a stud, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the rings 120 are metal and can be any shape including square, oval round, crescent, rectangular, etc. The rings 120 may be made of any useable material including hard or flexible materials that may be chosen from plastic or other appropriate polymers. The rings may be made of wood or other decorative material or they may be produced from leather braids or other decorative selections.

The attachment mechanism 130 is preferably a flexible material that can be placed through the rings on the flexible carrying member and the loop 140 on the fastener 160. Once threaded, the attachment mechanism 130 is preferably secured with, e.g., one or more rivets 150. Appropriate materials can include leather, cloth, polyester, and the like. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism can be made of a hard material that encircles the ring 120 and the loop on the locking mechanism 140. According to this embodiment, the attachment means may be hard plastic or other decorative material.

The fasteners for use with the strap system as described preferably include a means for latching and unlatching. Appropriate fasteners can include toggle latches, tab latches, cam latches, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and the like. As described, tab latches provide ease in separating the device from the strap system.

The fasteners are connected to the product to be held by a binding adhesive. Adhesives include any art recognized binding agent that will couple plastic with plastic or plastic with metal or another material. The adhesive may be an acrylic based adhesive, a polyolefin, or epoxy based adhesive.

According to one embodiment, the adhesive is in the form of a double sided bonding tape. Suitable adhesive tapes include any art recognized bonding tape with sufficient strength and durability. The double sided tape may be a coreless, have a foamed core, or have another core material. Appropriate bonding tapes include, for example, VHB (very high bonding tapes available from 3M, or extra high bond tapes available from Electro Tape. According to one embodiment, the tape is laser cut and sized to fit the fasteners. Suitable adhesives are available on the market and selection of an appropriate adhesive would be within the purview of the skilled artisan.

The strap system as described includes adhesive on the fastener 160 that is covered with an appropriate protective cover that can be removed from the adhesive before application of the fastener to the device. If the device is a phone, the fastener 160 is generally applied to the bottom of the phone, or the top of the phone when the phone is inverted. This positioning allows the user to pick the phone up from where it contacts their body in an arcing motion and have the phone orientation be upright and correct for most all of their uses, without a need to turn the device. In embodiments where the user doesn't want the screen showing, the strap system may be turned around so that the phone screen faces the body of the wearer. In this embodiment, the phone will need to be both lifted and turned to have it in an upright portrait orientation.

The electronic device may be oriented horizontally if its display screen is horizontal or the user prefers to orient their device horizontally. Such a horizontal display may be found, for example, on a single player gaming device.

The fasteners may be adhered directly to the device or they may be adhered to a phone cover or other protective material that is typically used to surround cell phones to make them more attractive or to prevent damage.

The strap system as described overcomes some or all of the drawbacks associated with prior art phone holders. The ease and balance of the described strap system makes it useful for any number of situations.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the strap system can be used in a multitude of environments and for a multitude of purposes many of which will become evident upon reading this description. A non-exhaustive list of examples can be found below.

The strap system may be used for outdoor activities where you may wish to take photos or video and it is inconvenient to have your phone out, for example, skiing, white water rafting, kayaking, cheerleading, and the like. The strap system is useful for keeping the phone with the user when no pockets are available, for example, sports uniforms or women's dresses. The strap system is also convenient for traveling and vacationing when you are getting through airport security or may want to take pictures and video without having to remove your phone again and again from your pocket or purse. The strap system is useful at events such as sporting events, concerts, music and other festivals, expo's, buying conventions, company retreats, and reunions.

Additional uses for the strap include at the gym, walking a dog or any other time that the user desires to use headphones and needs his hands free. According to this embodiment, the user can attach headphones to listen to music, listen to a book or podcast, talk on the phone, etc. The headphone wires can run directly up along the body of he user making it less likely that the headphones will be dislodged by interference with the headphone wires.

Other uses for the strap system as described include carrying any small device that the user doesn't wish to lose or break. For example, merchants can now use portable card readers and the like. The strap system as described is perfectly adapted to carrying such devices so they are positionally available and subject to less loss or breakage.

Although the present disclosure has been described in certain specific exemplary embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the equivalents thereof, rather than by the foregoing description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A strap system for holding a small item comprising: a flexible carrying member; at least two fasteners located at the ends of the flexible carrying member; adhesive binder applied to the fasteners to secure the strap system to the small item.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a phone or phone case attached to the fasteners.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a credit card reader attached to the fasteners.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are latchable and unlatchable.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising rings for attaching the fastener to the flexible carrying member.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an attachment mechanism for securing the metal ring to the fastener.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the flexible carrying member is multilayered.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the flexible carrying member comprises slit pockets between the layers.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the slit pockets are opened from the back of the strap system.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one loop on the front of the flexible carrying member.
 11. A method for using an electronic device comprising: connecting the strap system of claim 1, to a phone or electronic device wherein the fasteners are attached to the top back of the phone or phone cover when the phone is inverted.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the phone is used by lifting the phone in an upward arc without turning the phone. 